Grandparents seeking decision making authority
My son has had full and sole custody of my grandson, his son since he was 3 mths old when bio mom walked away. They always lived with me and Ive gladly helped raise the child...still to this day. When he was 4 yrs old the bio mother , out of the blues, came out of the "woodwork" and wanted visitation. They went to court. Mid way she decided she was going for full custody. Long story short she got visitation rights but not custody. We walked out of the court room and that was the last we heard from her despite trying to keep her connected to my grandson. She has never exercised her rights to see or stay in contact in any way by phone or in person with my grandson since. He is now 12. The court also granted my son and grandson (during that same trial) the right to move away to another part of the province with me as long as we would make sure to keep bio mom in contact with the little one at our cost. We gladly agreed. But again, we could never reach bio mom. She changed her phone number and moved. We've always kept our same phone numbers and open on Facebook. Still nothing.
Well, my son passed away recently. My grandson continues to live with my husband and I. We have and will gladly continue to raise him till adulthood. I dont think mom would ever interfere in trying to get custody.
What do I need to do to ensure I have decision making authority? Or do I even need to when he will be turning 13 very soon? Help this grieving grandma keep our grandson safe with continued stability...the only place he has ever known as home. His first question after his dad passed away was "what happens to me now?" And I said "Nothing happens. Nothing changes Hunny. This has always and will always be your home. And we will continue to live like a family just like before". The instant relief on his face was priceless.